Stefan Zweig
Stefan Zweig was an Austrian novelist, playwright, journalist, and biographer. Born in Vienna in 1881, he became one of the most famous and most translated authors of his time. Zweig studied philosophy and the history of literature, and was deeply influenced by the humanist culture of the Europe of his day. His works are known for their psychological depth and understanding of the human soul, often exploring the lives of historical figures and the intricacies of their emotional worlds.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Zweig was an incredibly popular writer in the world of German literature, and his works were among the first to be banned by the Nazi regime. He fled Austria in 1934, living in Britain, the United States, and Brazil. His writings during this period were marked by a profound sense of loss and nostalgia for the world he had lost due to the rise of fascism and the outbreak of World War II.
Zweig's autobiography, 'The World of Yesterday', is considered one of his most important works. It reflects his despair over the destruction of Europe's intellectual heritage. Sadly, feeling increasingly isolated and despairing of the future of Europe, Zweig committed suicide in 1942 in Brazil. His legacy lives on through his numerous works, which continue to be read and appreciated for their deep humanism and insight into the psychological underpinnings of historical events and personal crises.